Fishing

In 2011 the UK fishing fleet remained the 6^th largest in the EU in terms of vessel numbers. Over a quarter of all fish landed by UK vessels was mackerel (скумбрия).

Apart from mackerel the country’s main exports were also salmon & herring.

Major fishing towns are Kingston upon Hull, Grimsby, Fleetwood, Newlyn, Peterhead, Fraserburgh & others.

Fish farming involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures, usually for food. In the UK it’s carp, salmon, trout.

7. Expand on the financial crisis of 2007 in the UK & the measures of the coalition government (2010) to overcome the problems of the country. The main priorities of the UK coalition gov-t.

The CREDIT CRUNCH & measures to tackle it.

In 2007 the UK economy became one of the biggest losers in the financial crisis that started the same year. Banking sector – House prices.

The country’s economy remains 3.5 % below its peak of 2007.

Back in 2011 the country wasn’t expected to regain its previous economic level for at least another 2 yy., making it the longest recovery in 100 yy.

Latest figures also confirm the estimates that Britain could be on course for its 3^rd recession in 4 years after its economy shrank 0.3 % in the last 3 yy.

Part of the reason for UK’s slow economic growth over the last yy. has been due to the introduction of an austerity plan (меры жесткой бюджетной экономии)

The AP was introduced as a method to reduce record level debts that were increased by the 2008 global financial crisis.

In 1997, Labour inherited a budget that was actually in balance. After a painful & turbulent decade the public finances had finally been brought under control.

By the end of 2009-10 the UK annual deficit had ballooned to 170, 8 bln. pounds.

According to a gov-t report, the austerity plan will lower UK’s budget deficit from over 11 % of GDP in 2010 to nearly 1 % by 2015.

The plan envisages cutting public spending & services as well as implementing a new wave of tax increases:

Savings estimated at about 85 bln. pounds are to be made over 4 yy. The plan is to cut 490.000 public sector jobs.

Most Whitehall departments (правительственные учреждения) face budget cuts of 19 % on average. The retirement age is to rise from 65 to 66 by 2020.

While these methods are fundamental in reducing public debt, they tend to hamper (slow down) economic growth in the short term as well.

It’s hoped that with these measures the UK economy will be more sustainable in the long term.

8. Outline the economic & social dev-t of the South (the South West, the South East, London & the East of England regions). Speak on its population & major cities.

The UK regions:

In terms of economic development Britain used to be divided into 8 large regions:

1) The South

2) The Midlands

3) Lancashire (part of today’s North West)

4) Yorkshire (part of today’s Yorkshire & the Humber)

5) The North (today’s North East & part of the North West)

6) Scotland

7) Wales

8) Northern Ireland

Presently, the UK is divided into 12 regions, with 9 being in England. The rest are Wales, Scotland & NI:

1) South East